TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 21, 2013) - Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. (TSX:ENB) (NYSE:ENB), a regulated natural gas distribution utility, announced today that it has received approval from the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) for new rates effective April 1, 2013.
For typical residential customers* who buy their gas supply and transportation from Enbridge Gas Distribution, the changes will result in an overall decrease of approximately $10 annually. This is primarily due to decreased commodity costs. The impact also reflects changes to Enbridge's 2013 rates.
Typical residential customers, who purchase their gas supply from a marketer and obtain transportation services from Enbridge Gas Distribution, will see an increase of about $4 annually. This is primarily due to increased costs to transport natural gas. The impact also reflects changes to Enbridge's 2013 rates.
Effective April 1, 2013, Enbridge Gas Distribution's Gas Supply Charge will decrease from 12.8 cents per cubic metre (¢/m3) to 12.1 ¢/m3. The Cost Adjustment includes a refund on Gas Supply of 1.8 ¢/m3. Combined, these result in an effective Gas Supply Charge of 10.3 ¢/m3.
Enbridge Gas Distribution does not earn a profit on the price of natural gas. Gas supply costs are passed through to customers without any mark-up. Any difference between forecast costs and actual prices is either collected from or returned to customers through a Cost Adjustment.
Based on Enbridge Gas Distribution's approved residential rates, natural gas is currently the most economical choice for home and water heating in Ontario. Natural gas is about 70 per cent less expensive than electricity and about 73 per cent less expensive than oil.**
A typical residential customer purchasing their gas supply from Enbridge is saving about $400 on their total annual natural gas bill compared to what they were paying five years ago. As of April 2013, the annual bill will be about $946. Five years ago, the annual bill for the same customer was about $1346.*
The total effect on a customer's bill depends on how much gas a customer uses.
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. has a more than 160-year history and is Canada's largest natural gas distribution company. It is owned by Enbridge Inc., a Canadian-based leader in energy transportation and distribution and one of the 2012 Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations. Enbridge Inc. has been selected as one of Canada's Greenest Employers for 2012 and is one of Canada's Top 100 Employers. Enbridge Gas Distribution and its affiliates distribute natural gas to two million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New York State and New Brunswick. For more information, visit www.enbridgegas.com.
Please see the attached backgrounder for more information about Enbridge Gas Distribution's prices.
* Calculations are based on the assumption that a typical residential customer uses about 3,064 cubic metres of natural gas a year for home and water heating. Historical calculations use typical monthly consumption and Enbridge Gas Distribution's residential rates in effect from July 2007 to June 2008 as compared to those in effect July 2012 to June 2013.
** Natural gas rates are based on Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc.'s approved residential rates effective April 1, 2013. Electricity rates are based on Toronto Hydro's Ontario Energy Board's approved rates effective November 2012 and do not include the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit. Oil prices are based on publicly posted Statistics Canada historical rates up to and including rates available as of January 2013. Costs have been calculated for the equivalent energy consumed by a typical residential customer and include all service, delivery and energy charges. HST is not included.
To view the fact sheet associated with this release, please see the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/321enb_factsheet.pdf
For more information please contact:
Media contact:
Kristin McPhee
416-753-7328
kristin.mcphee@enbridge.com
